Shutdown Corner

Jordy Nelson, Robert Griffin headline Week 9′s injury roundup

Week 9 of the 2012 regular season is nearly complete. Here's a look at the injury situations we'll be monitoring entering Week 10.

The Green Bay Packers are off this week but saw three starters exit Sunday's 31-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals with injuries. Wide receiver Jordy Nelson, questionable entering the game with a hamstring that kept him out of last week's win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, injured his right ankle while sliding in an attempt to catch a 5-yard pass from Aaron Rodgers. With the Packers comfortably ahead of the Cardinals, Nelson would not return to the game. Right tackle Bryan Bulaga left the game with a hip injury and outside linebacker Clay Matthews suffered a pulled left hamstring in the first half. Matthews' left hamstring was an issue during his first two seasons in the league, so this latest injury is worth keeping an eye on over the next two weeks.

Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin took several shots in his team's 21-13 loss to the Carolina Panthers. After the game, Griffin had X-rays on his ribs, which fortunately came back negative. The Redskins are off this week and Griffin doesn't plan to miss any time.

"I'm fine. I'll be ready to go," Griffin said according to Mike Jones of the Washington Post. "No one is ever going to question the fight I have inside myself to be the greatest and to help this team to victory. It doesn't matter what it is, I will make sure that I continue to help my team win games and that it starts right after the bye."

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Percy Harvin had 73 yards on seven total touches as a runner, receiver and return specialist, all while battling injuries to his right hamstring and a left ankle injury in the third quarter of the Vikings' 30-20 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The Vikings host the Detroit Lions before hitting their bye the following week. Seahawks linebacker and leading tackler K.J. Wright left the game after sustaining a concussion on the opening possession of the game. Center Max Unger briefly left the game in the third quarter with a dislocated finger but would return.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown left his team's 24-20 win over the New York Giants with a sprained left ankle that is not believed to be serious as he's expected to play next Monday night against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden had a tough day in Sunday's 42-32 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rushing for just 17 yards on seven carries while playing through a lower left leg injury. McFadden underwent X-rays, which were negative, and an update on his health status is expected on Monday. Backup running back Mike Goodson suffered an ankle injury and, following the game, defensive tackle Desmond Bryant was taken to the hospital because of a fast heartbeat.

Denver Broncos right guard Chris Kuper will be put back on the shelf after suffering a left ankle injury in Sunday's 31-23 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Kuper dislocated the same ankle last January and missed the first four games, and was out of the starting lineup until Oct. 15, with a broken forearm. Fortunately, X-rays were negative and Kuper is scheduled to visit the MRI machine on Monday.

Facing a short week before they visit the Jacksonville Jaguars, several Indianapolis Colts left Sunday's 23-20 win over the Miami Dolphins with injuries. Outside linebacker Robert Mathis (back), cornerback Jerraud Powers (toe), wide receiver Donnie Avery (hip), center Samson Satele (leg) and right tackle Winston Justice (knee) will all be question marks when the Colts return to business on Monday.

Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Kendall Wright injured his elbow in the 51-20 loss to the Chicago Bears, but X-rays were negative and the No. 20 overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft does not plan to miss a game. For the Bears, defensive linemen Henry Melton (back) and Israel Idonije (knee) were injured, but expect to play next week against the Texans.

In the Sunday night game, Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Peria Jerry suffered a knee injury in the second quarter and was ruled out after the half. Jerry missed most of his rookie season with a knee injury. Dallas Cowboys nose tackle Jay Ratliff, who missed the first four games of the season with a high ankle sprain, limped off the field in the second quarter after injuring the same ankle, but would return in the second half.